Our story
The Sydney Opera House exists because a few brave people dared to think differently. From conception to completion, the building tested the limits of engineering, construction and design.
Designed by the Danish architect Jørn Utzon, this World Heritage-listed masterpiece represents a breakthrough in modern architecture. The famous sails have become a symbol of Sydney and modern Australia as a whole.
When the Opera House opened its doors in 1973, a new era of cultural discovery began. Five decades later, it is the nation’s leading tourism destination, one of the world’s busiest performing arts centres and a community meeting place that belongs to all Australians. Its programming spans many arts forms and attracts a variety of audiences in person and online.
Discover more about our story and contribution to culture, heritage, sustainability and tourism.